Science Today (2016) 3(2): 186-194 186 http://dx.doi.org/10.14719/pst.2016.3.2.222

ISSN: 2348-1900 Plant Science Today http://horizonepublishing.com/journals/index.php/PST

Research Communication Current status of diversity and distribution of of

Manorama Mishra,1 Prasad Kumar Dash,2* Afroz Alam,3 Santilata Sahoo1 and Ritarani Das1

1P.G.Department of Botany, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 2Odisha Biodiversity Board, Department of Forest and Environment, Govt. of Odisha 3Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Banasthali Vidyapith, (Rajasthan), India

Article history Abstract Received: 19 March 2016 In an attempt to reveal the biodiversity status of one of the least studied plant groups of Eastern Accepted: 08 April 2016 Ghats, the authors have catalogued the diversity and distribution of bryoflora of Odisha situated Published: 09 June 2016 in the Northern biogeographic regions of India. One hundred fourty nine species of bryophytes including 102 under 23 families, 41 liverworts under 16 families and 6 hornworts under 2 families were reported from Odihsa as a result of 7 years of primary survey © Mishra et al. (2016) (2008-2015) conducted in some selected bryodiversity rich habitats covering 12 districts of Odisha and also from scrutiny of different research publications including research papers, books and research reports. In terms of species richness, the hills was found to be the most diverse in terms of bryophytes followed by Similipal biosphere reserve, hills, Niyamgiri hills, Baphlimali hills and Khandadhar hills. Deomali hills also showed highest diversity in Special Section: New Frontiers endemic mosses. Five mosses such as Fissidens orishae Gangulee, Erpodium mangiferae Müll. Hal., in Cryptogamic Botany Hyophila comosa Dixon, Stereophyllum confusum Ther., Neckeropsis exserta (Hook. ex Schwagr.) Broth. are found to be endemic to India that occur in Odisha. Aneura pinguis (L.) Dumort., Anoectangium stracheyanum Mitt., Cyathophorella hookeriana (Griff.) M. Fleisch., Cyathophorum Section Editor adiantum (Griff.) Mitt., Distichophyllum schmidtii Broth., Eurhynchium striatulum (Spruce) Afroz Alam Schimp., Hypnum cupressiforme Hedw., Leucobryum juniperoideum (Brid.) Müll. Hal., Lophocolea bidentata (L.) Dumort., Macromitrium sulcatum (Hook.) Brid., Notothylas levieri Schiffner, lyellii (Hook.) Gray epiphylla (L.) Corda., Philonotis fontana (Hedw.) Brid., Pogonatum neesii (Müll. Hal.) Dozy., Polytrichum commune Hedw., Polytrichum juniperinum Hedw., Racopilum cuspidigerum (Schwagr.) Angstrom, Racopilum orthocarpum Wilson ex Mitt., beyrichiana Hampe ex Lehm., Riccia billardieri Mont. & Nees., Spruceanthus semirepandus (Nees) Verd., Thuidium cymbifolium (Müll. Hal.) Paris, Thuidium koelzii H. Rob., Trematodon longicollis Michx., are some of the new distributional record of occurrence for the Eastern Ghats.The present study reveals that Fissidentaceae, Pottiaceae, Bryaceae, Dicranaceae, , , Funariaceae and Anthocerotaceae are dominant families in the study area. The authors have also identified few forest pockets and critical habitat in the state where diversity shall be very rich that needs a detailed survey in near future. The authors discuss the list of bryophytes of the state in a regional context of rarity, as well as address some general subject matters regarding cryptogam conservation and further work needed in the state of Odisha. The study would provide a prelude data for future bryological studies and Publisher bryomonitoring in the Eastern Ghats in general and the state of Odisha in particular. Horizon e-Publishing Group Keywords Bryophytes; Diversity; Eastern Ghats; Odisha; Similipal Corresponding Author Mishra, M., P. K. Dash, A. Alam, S. Sahoo and R. Das. 2016. Current status of diversity and Prasad Kumar Dash distribution of Bryophytes of Odisha. Plant Science Today 3(2): 186-194. [email protected] http://dx.doi.org/10.14719/pst.2016.3.2.222

Introduction generally dominate in between the altitude 1000- The bryophytes which comprise liverworts, 8000 meters and they are important components hornworts, and mosses are widely distributed, of the vegetation in many regions of the world.

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Table 1: Checklist of Bryophytes of Odisha Name of the species Family Distribution in Odisha Hornworts Anthoceros angustus Steph. (Plate 1: Fig.29) Anthocerotaceae KJR, Khandadhar;SGD, Khandadhar, KPT, Deomali Anthoceros levis L. (Plate 1: Fig.31) Anthocerotaceae All sites Anthoceros punctatus L. Anthocerotaceae MBNJ, Similipal Notothylas levieri Schiffn., (Plate 1: Fig.30) Notothyladaceae KRD, Barbara RF Phaeoceros laevis (L.) Prosk. Notothyladaceae All sites Phaeoceros laevis subsp. carolinianus Notothyladaceae MBNJ, Similipal Liverworts Aneura pinguis (L.) Dumort. Aneuraceae KPT, Deomali khasiana (Griff.) Grolle Aytoniaceae MGR, Chitrakonda Asterella angusta (Steph.) Pande, K.P. Aytoniaceae RGD, Baphlimali, GPT, Mahendragiri Srivast. & Sultan Khan (Plate 1: Fig.7) Asterella blumeana (Nees) Pande, K.P. Aytoniaceae MBNJ, Similipal, RGD, Baphlimali Srivast. & Sultan Khan Asterella wallichiana (Lehm.) Grolle (Plate 1: Aytoniaceae MBNJ, Similipal, RGD, Baphlimali Fig.8) Cephalozia connivens (Dicks.) Lindb. Cephaloziaceae KJR, Khandadhar conicum (L.) Underw. Conocephalaceae MBNJ, Similipal, KHND, Karlapat, RGD, Baphlimali Cyathodium cavernarum Kunze (Plate 1: Cyathodiaceae All sites Fig.1) Dumortiera hirsuta (Sw.) Nees (Plate 1: Fig.6)Marchantiaceae KJR, Khandadhar, KHND, Karlapat, BGD, Gandhamardan, MBNJ, Similipal Frullania muscicola Steph. Jubulaceae KJR, Khandadhar Frullania squarrosa Gottsche Jubulaceae KJR, Khandadhar Heteroscyphus argutus (Nees) Schiffn. Lophocoleaceae KHND, Karlapat, KJH, Khandadhar Lejeunea discreta Lindenb. Lejeuneaceae RGD, Baphlimali Lophocolea bidentata (L.) Dumort. Lophocoleaceae KJR, Khandadhar, MBHJ, Similipal linearis Lehm. & Lindenb. Marchantiaceae MBNJ, Similipal Marchantia palmata Reinw., Nees & Blume Marchantiaceae MBNJ, Similipal (Plate 1: Fig.4) L. Marchantiaceae MBNJ, Similipal

Metzgeria decipiens (C. Massal.) Schiffn. Metzgeriaceae KPT, Deomali (Plate 1: Fig.5)

Metzgeria furcata (L.) Corda Metzgeriaceae GPT, Mahendragiri

Metzgeria himalayensis Kash. Metzgeriaceae MBNJ, Similipal, KJR, Khandadhar

Pallavicinia lyellii (Hook.) Gray (Plate 1: KJR, Khandadhar Fig.13)

Pellia endiviifolia (Dicks.) Dumort. RGD, Baphlimali

Pellia epiphylla (L.) Corda Pelliaceae RGD, Baphlimali, KPT, Deomali

Plagiochasma appendiculatum Lehm. & Aytoniaceae All sites Lindenb. (Plate 1: Fig.9) rupestre (G. Forst.) Steph. Aytoniaceae MBNJ, Similipal, RGD, Baphlimali Plagiochila porelloides (Torr.) Lindenb. Plagiochilaceae Epiphyte on trees at Mahendragiri, Deomali Plagiomnium rostratum (Schrad.) T.J. Kop. Aytoniaceae KPT, Deomali

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Table 1: Checklist of Bryophytes of Odisha (Contd.) Name of the species Family Distribution in Odisha Plagiothecium denticulatum (Hedw.) Schimp.Aytoniaceae KPT, Deomali, MBNJ, Similipal, GPT, Debgiri (Plate 1: Fig.17) Riccardia levieri Schiffn. Aneuraceae KHND, Karlapat, KJH, Khandadhar, RGD, Baphlimali, GJM, Budhakhol Riccia beyrichiana Hampe ex Lehm. GPT, Mahendragiri Riccia fluitans L. Ricciaceae All sites Riccia pathankotensis Kash. Ricciaceae MGR, Chitrkonda Riccia billardieri Mont. & Nees. (Plate 1: Ricciaceae MGR, Chitrkonda Fig.3) Riccia crystallina L. (Plate 1: Fig.2) Ricciaceae MGR, Chitrkonda Riccia discolor Lehm. & Lindenb. Ricciaceae MBNJ, Similipal Riccia frostii Austin Ricciaceae KPT, Deomali Riccia glauca L. Ricciaceae KPT, Deomali, GPT, Mahendragiri, MGR, Chitrakonda Riccia trichocarpa M. Howe Ricciaceae KJR, Khandadhar Spruceanthus semirepandus (Nees) Verd. Lejeuneaceae GPT, Mahendragiri (Plate 1: Fig.12) Targionia hypophylla L. (Plate 1: Fig.10) Targioniaceae AGL, Satkosia, MBNJ, Similipal, AGL Targionia indica Udar & A. Gupta Targioniaceae RGD, Baphlimali Mosses Aerobryopsis longissima (Dozy & Molk.) M. Meteoriaceae KHND, Karlapat Fleisch Anoectangium stracheyanum Mitt. Pottiaceae KPD, Deomali; GPT, Mahendragiri, KJR, Khandadhar Anoectangium walkeri Broth. Pottiaceae MBNJ, Similipal, KHND, Karlapat Barbula arcuata Griff. Pottiaceae RGD, Baphlimali Barbula javanica Dozy & Molk. (Plate 1: Pottiaceae MBNJ, Similipal Fig.2) Brachymenium exile (Dozy & Molk.) Bosch & Bryaceae KPT, Deomali Sande Lac. Brachymenium microstomum Harv. Bryaceae KPT, Deomali Brachythecium rutabulum (Hedw. ) Schimp. Bryaceae KPT, Deomali Brachythecium albicans (Hedw.) Schimp. Bryaceae SGD, Khandadhar Bryum apiculatum Schwagr. Bryaceae CTC, river bed Bryum argenteum Hedw. Bryaceae All sites Bryum argenteum var. lanatum (P. Beauv.) Bryaceae GJM, Chilika Hampe Bryum capillare Hedw. (Plate 1: Fig.18) Bryaceae KPT, Deomali, GPT, Mahendragiri Bryum cellulare Hook. Bryaceae RGD, Baphlimali Bryum coronatum Schwagr. (Plate 1: Fig.19) Bryaceae RGD, Baphlimali. KPT, Deomali, RGD, Niyamgiri Bryum plumosum Dozy & Molk. Bryaceae MBNJ, Similipal Campylopus ericoides (Griff.) A. Jaeger Leucobryaceae MBNJ, Similipal, KPT, Deomali, GPT, Mahendragiri Campylopus gracilis (Mitt.) A. Jaeger Leucobryaceae KPT, Deomali, GPT, Mahendragiri Cyathophorella hookeriana (Griff.) M. Cyathophoraceae KPT, Deomali Fleisch. Cyathophorum adiantum (Griff.) Mitt. (Plate Cyathophoraceae KPT, Deomali 1: Fig.11)

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Table 1: Checklist of Bryophytes of Odisha (Contd.) Name of the species Family Distribution in Odisha Dicranella heteromalla (Hedw.) Schimp. Dicranaceae KPT, Deomali Distichophyllum schmidtii Broth. Hookeriaceae MBNJ, Similipal Entodon flavescens (Hook.) A. Jaeger Entodontaceae MBNJ, Similipal Entodon plicatus Müll. Hal. Entodontaceae KPT, Deomali Entodontopsis wightii (Mitt.) W.R. Buck & Entodontaceae KPT, Deomali R.R. Ireland Erpodium mangiferae Müll. Hal. Erpodiaceae RGD, Baphlimali Erythrodontium julaceum (Hook. ex Erpodiaceae GPT, Mahendragiri Schwagr.) Paris Eurhynchium muelleri (A. Jaeger) EB Brachytheciaceae KRD, RPRC Campus Orchid Garden, Bhubaneswar Bartram Eurhynchium striatulum (Spruce) Schimp. Brachytheciaceae GJM, Budhhakhol Fissidens ceylonensis Dozy & Molk., (Plate 1: Fissidentaceae KHND, Karlapat Fig.27) Fissidens sylvatus var. zippenlianus Fissidentaceae BGD, Gandhamardan Gangulee Fissidens sylvatus var. calcuttense Gangulee Fissidentaceae RGD, Baphlimali Fissidens bryoides Hedw. Fissidentaceae KJR, Khandadhar, SGD, Khandadhar Fissidens crenulatus Mitt. Fissidentaceae KHND, Karlapat, KJH, Khandadhar, KPT, Deomali Fissidens crispulus Brid. Fissidentaceae KPT, Deomali Fissidens diversifolius Mitt. Fissidentaceae RGD, Baphlimali Fissidens incurvus Starke ex Rohl. Fissidentaceae RGD, Baphlimali Fissidens intromarginatulus E.B. Bartram Fissidentaceae RGD, Baphlimali Fissidens involutus Wilson ex Mitt. Fissidentaceae RGD, Baphlimali Fissidens orishae Gangulee Fissidentaceae KPT, Deomali Fissidens schmidii Müll. Hal. Fissidentaceae MBNJ, Similipal Fissidens serratus Müll. Hal. Fissidentaceae GPT, Mahendragiri Fissidens serrulatus Brid. Fissidentaceae GPT, Mahendragiri Fissidens sylvaticus Griff. Fissidentaceae GPT, Mahendragiri Fissidens taxifolius Hedw. Fissidentaceae KPT, Deomali Floribundaria walkeri (Renauld & Cardot) Meteoriaceae KJR, Khandadhar Broth. Foreauella orthothecia (Schwagr.) Dixon & Sematophyllaceae KJR, Khandadhar P. de la Varde Funaria hygrometrica Hedw. Funariaceae All sites Funaria hygrometrica var. calvescens Funariaceae MBNJ, Similipal, KPT, Deomali (Schwagr.) Mont. Grimmia funalis (Schwagr.) Bruch & Schimp. Grimiaceae KPT, Deomali Grimmia indica (Dixon & P. de la Varde) Grimiaceae KPT, Deomali, Mahendragiri, GPT Goffinet & Greven Herpetineuron toccoae (Sull. & Lesq.) Sematophyllaceae All sites Cardot (Plate 1: Fig.21) Himantocladium plumula (Nees) M. Fleisch. Neckeraceae BGD, Gandhamardan Hydrogonium arcuatum (Griff.) Wijk & Pottiaceae BGD, Gandhamardan Margad. Hydrogonium consanguineum (Thwaites & Pottiaceae KPT, Deomali Mitt.) Hilp.

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Table 1: Checklist of Bryophytes of Odisha (Contd.) Name of the species Family Distribution in Odisha Hymenostomum edentulum (Mitt.) Besch. Meteoriaceae KPT, Deomali Hyophila comosa Dixon Pottiaceae GPT, Mahendragiri; KPT, Deomali Hyophila involuta (Hook.) A. Jaeger (Plate 1: Pottiaceae GPT, Mahendragiri; KPT, Deomali Fig.2) Hyophila nymaniana (M. Fleisch.) M. Menzel Pottiaceae KPT, Deomali Hyophila rosea R.S. Williams Pottiaceae KPT, Deomali Hypnum cupressiforme Hedw. Hypnaceae RGD, Niyamgiiri, MBNJ, Similipal Isopterygium micans (Sw.) Kindb. Verd. Hypnaceae MBNJ, Similipal, KPT, Deomali Leucobryum juniperoideum (Brid.) Müll. Hal. Dicranaceae GPT, Mahendragiri; KPT, Deomali (Plate 1: Fig.16) Macromitrium sulcatum (Hook.) Brid. (Plate Orthotrichaceae GPT, Mahendragiri 1: Fig.20) Meteoriopsis reclinata (Mull. Hal.) M. Meteoriaceae SGD, Khandadhar Fleisch. Meteoriopsis squarrosa (Hook. ex Harv.) M. Meteoriaceae KJR, Khandadhar Fleisch. Neckeropsis crinita (Griff.) M. Fleisch. Neckeraceae KPT, Deomali Neckeropsis exserta (Hook. ex Schwagr.) Neckeraceae KPT, Deomali Broth. Octoblepharum albidum Hedw. Leucobryaceae KPT, Deomali, GPT, Mahendragiri, MBNJ, Similipal Oxystegus tenuirostris (Hook. & Taylor) Pottiaceae BGD, Gandhamardan A.J.E. Sm. Papillaria crocea (Hampe) A. Jaeger Meteoriaceae SGD, Khandadhar Philonotis falcata (Hook.) Mitt. Bartramiaceae GJM, Budhhakhol Philonotis fontana (Hedw.) Brid. Bartramiaceae KHND, Karlapat Philonotis mollis (Dozy & Molk.) Mitt. (Plate Bartramiaceae GJM, Budhhakhol 1: Fig.28) Philonotis hastata (Duby) Wijk & Margad. Bartramiaceae MBNJ, Similipal, KPT, Deomali, GPT, Mahendragiri Philonotis thwaitesii Mitt. Bartramiaceae MBNJ, Similipal, KPT, Deomali, GPT, Mahendragiri Physcomitrium pyriforme (Hedw.) Hampe Funariaceae SGD, Khandadhar Pinnatella alopecuroides (Mitt.) M. Fleisch. Neckeraceae MBNJ, Similipal, KPT, Deomali, GPT, Mahendragiri Pinnatella calcutensis M. Fleisch. (Michx.) Neckeraceae MBNJ, Similipal, KPT, Deomali, GPT, Mahendragiri Prosk. Pogonatum neesii (Mull. Hal.) Dozy. (Plate 1: Polytrichaceae GPT, Mahendragiri Fig.23) Pogonatum microstomum (R. Br. ex Polytrichaceae MBNJ, Similipal Schwägr.) Brid. Pohlia flexuosa Harv. Bryaceae GPT, Mahendragiri Polytrichum commune Hedw. Polytrichaceae KPT, Deomali Polytrichum juniperinum Hedw. Polytrichaceae RGD, Baphlimali, KPT, Deomali Racopilum cuspidigerum (Schwagr.) Racopilaceae KPT, Deomali Angstrom (Plate 1: Fig.14) Racopilum orthocarpum Wilson ex Mitt. Racopilaceae KPT, Deomali Rhynchostegiella divaricatifolia (Renauld & Brachytheciaceae KPT, Deomali Cardot) Broth. Semibarbula orientalis (F. Weber) Wijk & Pottiaceae KPT, Deomali Margad. Splachnobryum indicum Hampe & Mull. Hal. Pottiaceae RGD, Baphlimali

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Table 1: Checklist of Bryophytes of Odisha (Contd.)

Name of the species Family Distribution in Odisha

Stereophyllum radiculosum (Hook.) Mitt. Stereophyllaceae GPT Mahendragiri Stereophyllum confusum Ther. (Plate 1: Stereophyllaceae KPT, Deomali Fig.24) Stereophyllum wightii (Mitt.) A. Jaeger Stereophyllaceae KPT, Deomali Taxiphyllum giraldii (Mull. Hal.) M. Fleisch. Sematophyllaceae KPT, Deomali Taxiphyllum taxirameum (Mitt.) M. Fleisch. Sematophyllaceae KPT, Deomali Taxithelium nepalense (Schwagr.) Broth. Sematophyllaceae KPT, Deomali Thuidium cymbifoliolum (Müll. Hal.) Paris Leucodontaceae KPT, Deomali (Plate 1: Fig.15) Thuidium koelzii H. Rob. Leucodontaceae KPT, Deomali Trachyphyllum inflexum (Harv.) A. Gepp Entodontaceae RGD, Baphlimali Trachyphyllum jeyporense Ther. & Dixon Entodontaceae KPT, Deomali, RGD, Baphlimali Trematodon longicollis Michx. (Plate 1: Bruchiaceae KJR, Khandadhar Fig.25) Weissia edentula Mitt. KRD, Barbara Wilsoniella decipiens var. acutifolia (Dixon) Ditrichaceae KRD, Barbara Wijk & Margad. Abbreviations: MBNJ: Mayurbhanj, SGD, Sundargarh, RGD: Rayagada, KPT: Koraput, KJR: Keonjhar, AGL: Angul, NGD: Nayagarh, KHND: Kalahandi, MGR: Malkangiri, GPT: Gajpati, BGD: Bargarh, CTC: Cuttack, GJM: Ganjam, KRD: Khurda

They are one of the important components in confluence of two major biogeographic provinces many forest ecosystems and constitute a major of India-the Eastern Ghats and Chhotanagpur part of the biodiversity in moist environments, Plateau–make Odisha a rich biodiversity wetland, and mountain ecosystems (Hallingback repository. Of the state’s total geographical area, and Hotsgetts, 2000). 32.33 % is covered with forests. This works out to They are the second largest group of , be about 7.21 % of the India’s total forest area (FSI, with about 25,000 species worldwide (Buck and 2013). The vegetation of Odisha comes under four Goffinetnet, 2000). Our knowledge on the types: (i) Odisha Semi-evergreen forests (ii) and distribution of bryophytes are far Tropical moist deciduous forests (iii) Tropical dry- from adequate and still relies on the work done deciduous forests and (iv) Littoral and Tidal during the last 20th and early 21st centuries. So far, swamp forests. The state is an abode for around 2489 taxa of bryophytes recorded from India, 3000 species of plants which includes 138 species comprising 1786 species in 355 genera of mosses, of Orchids, 170 species of pteridophytes, 10 species 675 species in 121 genera of liverworts and 25 of gymnosperms, 71 species of mangroves and species in six genera of hornworts of which their associates and 7 species of sea grasses. Apart approximately 72% are mosses, 27% are liverworts from angiosperms, gymnosperms and and 1% hornworts. About 340 species as endemic pteridophytes lower group of plants like algae, of which 269 species are of mosses, 67 are of bryophytes and lichens also contribute liverworts and 4 are of hornworts (Dandotiya et substantially to the floral richness of the state. But al., 2011). Out of 133 rare species 78 are of mosses the studies on cryptogams in general and and 53 are liverworts and nearly 14 species are Bryophytes in particular are insufficient as recorded as endangered. The percentage compared to other groups of plants. Except occurrence of mosses in India is quite high when Gangulee’s work (Gangulee, 1969–1980) where compared to any other plant group. About 27.5% bryoflora of some parts of the Eastern Ghats in of the world’s mosses and 11.26% of liverworts are general and a few localities of Odisha state in present in India. In India they are distributed in particular were mentioned, no other researchers Eastern and Western Himalayas, South India and have made any attempt to document the bryoflora Central India (Nath and Asthana, 2005). of the state. The first systematic studies on Bryophytes of Odisha were conducted by Dash et Being one of the East Indian state Odisha’s al. (2007) and reported 23 species of bryophytes unique locations in Peninsular India has blessed it from Similipal biosphere reserve. Latter Dash and with an interesting assemblage of floral and faunal Saxena, 2009 reported 29 species from diversity. With an unindented coastline of nearly Khandadhar hills, Dash et al. (2009) reported 31 480 km, drained by several large and perennial species from Baphlimali hills of Eastern Ghats. rivers, altitudinal variation from sea level up to Dash and Saxena (2011) documented the bryoflora 5000 feet above MSL, varied geography and the

ISSN: 2348-1900 Horizon e-Publishing Group 192 Plant Science Today (2016) 3(2): 186-194 of Keonjhar district of Odisha and reported 33 Institute, Lucknow and Botanical survey of India, species. Nath et al. (2007) reported 28 species of Kolkata during the initial stages of the study mosses from Amarkantak (MP) and mentioned the period and the other and recently collected range distribution of 7 species from Odisha. Later doubtful specimens are identified by the authors on, Dandotiya et al. (2011) published a checklist on on the basis of available literature. Bryoflora of India, where he mentioned about the presence of 47 species from Odisha following Ecology of bryoflora: The maximum diversity of mainly Gangulee’s record. Nath et al. (2011) Bryophytes was reported in Deomali followed by presented an overview of family Pottiaceae Similipal as both these areas offer suitable climatic () in Central India and reported on the conditions like good rainfall, moderate distribution of 3 species of mosses from Odisha. temperature, encouraging light intensity, high Alam et al. (2013) reported 33 species of humidity, etc. Other factors such as age and bryophytes from Similipal Biosphere Reserve with composition of forest, moisture regime and some new additions to the bryoflora reported by substrate characteristics like pH and nutrient that Dash et al. (2007). Bansal and Nath (2014) reported are considered decisive for the growth of 26 species of the genus Bryum from peninsular bryophytes (Rhoades, 1995; Richards, 1996; Gabriel India and mentioned about the presence of 4 and Bates, 2005) are also amiable in this part of species from Odisha. country. Altitude, an important factor related to diversity and distribution pattern of bryophytes is Materials and Methods an influential factor in Odisha. The bryophyte In an attempt to document the bryoflora of the diversity is generally negatively correlated with state field survey was conducted in some selected altitude (Gabriel and Bates, 2005), and this is biodiversity rich areas in 12 districts of Odisha, evident here also by the pervasiveness of thalloid namely Mayurbhanj (Similipal Biosphere Reserve), species at lower altitude and of leafy forms at Kalahandi (Karlapat Wild Life Sanctuary), higher altitude in the studied areas of Odisha. The Rayagada (Niyamgiri hills and Baphlimali hills), bryophyte composition is related to the Angul (Satkoshia Wild Life Sanctuary) Keonjhar physiognomy of the forest and hence the and Sundargarh (Khandadhar hills), Koraput distribution of bryophyte in the forest types of (Deomali hills), Gajapati (Mahendragiri hills), Odisha is governed by many factors related to Malkangiri (Chitrakonda), Khurda (Barbara RF water availability and nature of the forest types. and RPRC, Campus, Bhubaneswar), Cuttack Species like Anthocerous angustus, Conocephalum (Mahanadi river bed), Ganjam (Budhhakhol) and conicum, Pallavicinia lyellii, , Dhenkanal (Saptasajya and Kapilas hill (Map 1). Polytrichum juniperinum and Targionia indica The study sites include open, dense and scrub were found between altitudes of 550 m to 870 m at forests, grasslands and degraded forests, mining places where the forest is of mostly moist areas, waterfalls, dead logs, old trees and old deciduous or semi-evergreen having compact monuments. canopy. Five species like Riccia trichocarpa, Riccia glauca, Herpetineuron toccoae, Cyathodium For sample collection, plants were scraped cavernarum and Funaria hygrometrica and were out along with little substrate with the help of collected from the vicinity of mining areas which sharp edged knife and a small portion of stem bark harbouring dry deciduous forest with more open having good number of plants were peeled off canopy. Two thalloid species viz. Dumortiera with a sharp knife for the corticolous bryophytes hirsuta and Plagiochasma appendiculatum showed (growing on tree bark). The aquatic, terrestrial and a wide range of morphological variations along the epiphytic bryophytes were collected in the altitudinal gradient among all sites. Spruceanthus polythene bags and brought to the laboratory, semirepandus, Thuidium cymbifoliolum, Thuidium washed and dried. Collected samples are placed koelzii, Floribundaria walkeri, Macromitrium properly in standard Herbarium packets (4”x6” in sulcatum, Hyophila comosa, Hyophila nymaniana, size) in dried form. A printed label of 3”x5” size is Racopilum cuspidigerum, Racopilum orthocarpum, glued on the front flap of packet with field data. Campylopus ericoides, Octoblepharum albidum, The dried specimens are deposited in the newly Entodontopsis wightii, and Bryum coronatum are created herbarium of Odisha Biodiversity Board, found in Mahendragiri and Deomali hills above Bhubaneswar (OBB). 1200 m and Hydrogonium consanguineum, Identification of the specimens was based Plagiochasma rupestre, Cyathophorum adiantum, on the gametophytic and sporophytic characters Cyathophorella hookeriana usually spotted above and special features like elaters, rhizoids, 1300 m from msl. Mosses like Octoblepharum diameter, etc. using the standard albeidum usually prefer old trees and manuals and by referring the literatures of Chopra Mahendragiri hills, Deomali hills and Similipal and Kumar (1988); Kashyap (1929), Kashyap and biosphere reserve are three most important Chopra (1932); Gangulee (1969 – 1980), Nair et al. habitats for this species. Other substrates like old (2005), Satisha (2007). The doubtful specimens rocks, rocks, stones and pebbles provide suitable were identified by matching with the herbarium habitat for many mosses and liverworts like specimens at National Botanical Research Aerobryopsis longissima, Stereophyllum

Horizon e-Publishing Group ISSN: 2348-1900 Plant Science Today (2016) 3(2): 186-194 193 radiculosum, Bryum sp. Meteoriopsis sp. Lophocolea bidentata, Riccardia levieri, Lejeunea Rhynchostegiella sp. Trematodon longicollis. discreta, Spruceanthus semirepandus, Frullania Annual rainfall above 1500 mm might also be one squarrosa, etc. preffered to grow in barks of old of the key environmental factors for a high trees and usually considered as corticolous. diversity of epiphytic in places like Similipal Similarly, thalloid forms viz. Plagiochasma and Mahendragiri hills. appendiculatum, Conocephalum conicum, Cyathodium cavernarum, Targionia indica, Riccia pathankotensis, Riccia glauca, Riccia billardieri, Result and Discussion Pallavicinia lyellii, Pellia epiphylla, Notothylas Diversity: The bryoflora of Odisha consists of 149 levieri, Metzgeria himalayensis, Marchantia species under 76 genera comprising 102 mosses linearis, Marchantia polymorpha, Dumortiera under 23 families and 52 genera, 41 liverworts hirsuta, Thuidium cymbifoliolum, Thuidium koelzii, under 16 families and 22 genera and 6 hornworts Heteroscyphus argutus, Barbula javanica, under 2 families and 2 genera (Table 1). Among Anoectangium stracheyanum, Racopilum mosses, Fissidentaceae is found to be the dominant cuspidigerum, Racopilum orthocarpum etc. are family with 16 species followed by Pottiaceae with found to grow on rocks, stones and pebbles and 14 species and Bryaceae with 12 species and may be considered as rupicolous and saxicolous Bartramiaceae and Entodontaceae with 5 and 4 taxa. Some species preffered to grow in old species each are the other dominant families in trees/fallen logs as lignicolous forms. Species like mosses. Similarly, Ricciaceae outnumbered the Riccia grows on river banks and roadside cuts/on liverwort family with 9 species as compared to soil as terricolous form. While Riccia fluitans, Aytoniaceae with 8 species and Marchantiaceae Fissidens sp. and Eurhynchium striatulum are the with 4 species. Out of 36 species of Riccia reported aquatic forms. Trematodon sp., are lignicolous in from India (Singh, 2014), Odisha harbours 8 nature. The epiphytic mosses and liverworts species showing the availability of favourable preferred some specific trees like Acronychia conditions for thalloid liverworts. pedunculata, Michelia champaca, Drypetes assamica, Glochidion lanceolarium, Litsea Distribution pattern: Two hornworts viz. glutinosa, Litsea laeta, Litsea monopetala, Anthoceros laevis, and Phaeoceros laevis, three Neocinnamomum caudatum, Neolitsea cassia, liverworts viz. Riccia fluitans, Cyathodium Neolitsea foliosa, Syzygium caryophyllifolium, cavernarum, Plagiochasma appendiculatum, and Syzygium cerasoides, Callicarpa macrophylla Vahl., three moss taxa viz. Bryum argenteum, Funaria Machilus macranthus etc., which are mostly found hygrometrica, and Herpetineuron toccoae are the on shola forests above 1000 m msl. common species in all the sites studied. Moss species viz. Distichophyllum schmidtii, Interestingly, 63 species of bryophytes are found Thuidium cymbifolium, Thuidium koelzii, alone in Deomali hill of Koraput followed by 3 Macromitrium sulcatum, Polytrichum commune, species in Similipal Biosphere Reserve (SBR), Polytrichum juniperinum, Pogonatum neesii, Mayurbhanj; 34 species in Mahendragiri hills of Racopilum cuspidigerum, Racopilum orthocarpum, Gajpati; 20 species each in Baphlaimali hill ranges Cyathophorum adiantum, Trematodon longicollis, of Rayagada and Khandadhar hills of Keonjhar Eurhynchium striatulum, Philonotis fontana, and Sundargarh districts. Among mosses, Cyathophorella hookeriana, Hypnum Distichophyllum schmidtii, Thuidium cymbifoliolum, cupressiforme, Leucobryum juniperoideum, Thuidium koelzii, Floribundaria walkeri, Anoectangium stracheyanum have been reported Macromitrium sulcatum, Cyathophorum adiantum, for the first time in the studied sites. While in case Cyathophorella hookeriana, Polytrichum commune, of liverworts Lophocolea bidentata, Spruceanthus Polytrichum juniperinum, Hyophila comosa, semirepandus, Pellia epiphylla, Aneura pinguis, Hyophila nymaniana, Racopilum cuspidigerum, Riccia beyrichiana, Riccia billardieri and Racopilum orthocarpum can be considered as rare Pallavicinia lyellii are the new entries to the moss taxa for Odisha due to their site specific and region. Hornwort Notothylas levieri is also a new limited occurrence. Similarly liverworts viz. record for the Eastern Ghats. Spruceanthus semirepandus, Plagiochasma rupestre, Lophocolea bidentata, Pallavicinia lyellii, Conclusion Riccia pathankotensis, and Asterella wallichiana may be considered as rare in the studied areas of Bryophytes are one of the neglected groups of Odisha. plants in Odisha. Lack of taxonomic expertise and proper information about their diversity, Moss species viz. Plagiothecium distribution and ecology might be the reason of denticulatum, Philonotis thwaitesii, Brachythecium negligence for these amphibians of plant kingdom. albicans, Cyathophorum adiantum, Neckeropsis In the past only sporadic work was done by only a exserta, Floribundaria walkeri, Hypnum few researchers, as a result of that our knowledge cupressiforme, Leucobryum juniperoideum, regarding bryophytes of this particular region of Octoblepharum albidum, Trachyphyllum jeyporense, India is much lesser than the other bryological Fissidens crenulatus, Hyophila involuta and regions. To fill this lacuna regarding the diversity Macromitrium sulcatum; liverworts like

ISSN: 2348-1900 Horizon e-Publishing Group 194 Plant Science Today (2016) 3(2): 186-194 and distribution of these plants, a detailed of India are also highly acknowledged for their contribution taxonomic survey and documentation of bryoflora towards identification of some mosses and liverworts. of the state has been performed in present study. The results of this study clearly indicate that References earlier explorations related to bryophytes in the Alam, A., K. K. Behera, S. Vats, and M. Iqbal. 2013. A preliminary study state were inadequate and several potential on bryodiversity of Similipal Biosphere Reserve (Odisha), localities remain untouched. The current report of India. Arch Bryol, 157: 1-9. 149 species in the form of a checklist from Odisha Bansal, P. and V. Nath. 2014. Genus Bryum Hedw. in Peninsular India. is still a meager estimate. This number is only a Frahmia 4: 1-11 basic estimate and it would certainly increase after Buck, W. R. and B. Goffinet. 2000. Morphology and classification of mosses. In: Bryophyte Biology (Shaw A.J. and Goffinet B., eds.), frequent and extensive bryofloristic survey of all Cambridge University Press. pp.71–123. doi: regions of this state that will certainly provide 10.1017/CBO9781139171304.004 many new reports from this potential but Chopra, R. N and P. K. Kumar. 1988. Biology of bryophytes. Wiley neglected state in terms of bryoflora. Neglected Eastern Limited, New Delhi, India. areas like Rebena Reserve Forest, Core areas of Dandotiya, D, H., Govindapyari, S. Shantanu, and P. Uniyal 2011. Similipal (Meghasini, Barhkamara, and Devasthali Checklist of the bryophytes of India. Arch Bryol 88: 1-126 etc.), Kuldiha wildlife sanctuary, Barbara-Dhuanali Dash, P. K., S. Sahu, and D. K. Saxena. 2009. Bryoflora of Baphlamali Hills in Eastern Ghats of Orissa, India, EPTRI - ENVIS RF, South Odisha in general and Ganjam, Rayagada Newsletter. 15(1):1-8. and Malkangiri district in particular should be Dash, P. K. and D. K. Saxena. 2009. Bryoflora of Khandadhar hill given priority for future bryfloristic explorations. ranges, Orissa, India, Geobios 36: 113-16. Due to inaccessibility, time constrain and lack of Dash, P. K. and D. K. Saxena. 2011. Bryological flora of Keonjhar district funding these areas could not be accessed of Odisha, India. Punjab University Research Journal (Science). thoroughly during the present bryofloristic survey. 61: 153-157. Also, seasonal visits to forests immediately after Dash, P. K., P. K. Mahapatra M. Kar, N.K. Dhal, and N. C. Rout. 2007. the rains have to be done because they are also Bryoflora of Similipal Biosphere Reserve with special reference to Liverworts and hornworts, Similipal Biosphere helpful in locating the epiphytic forms, as many of Reserve, Orissa, India. Biannual Bulletin of Regional Plant which disappear from the forest on the onset of Research Centre 2 (1&2): 32-37. the dry season. Gabriel, R. and J. W. Bates. 2005. Bryophyte community composition Generally, the conservation measures have and habitat specificity in the natural forests of Terceira, Azores. Plant Ecol 177: 125-144. doi: 10.1007/s11258-005-2243-6 been taken in India mainly for the higher plants. Gangulee, H.C. (1969-1980). Mosses of Eastern India and Adajacent In the case of lower plant groups, very less regions. Fascicles 1-8. Books and Allied Limited, Calcutta. importance is given by the taxonomist as well as Hallingbäck, T. and N. Hodgetts. 2000. Mosses, liverworts and the policy makers. However, these small plants are hornworts. Status survey and conservation action plan for also facing the potential risks in the form of bryophytes- IUCN/SSC Bryophytes Spec. Grp, IUCN, Gland, habitat loss and ever increasing pollution due to Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. unplanned developmental activities. These issues India State of Forest Report (ISFR). 2013 are mainly societal, and the fate of these special Kashyap, S. R. 1929. Liverworts of western Himalayas and Panjab plants is dependent upon the overall conservation plains. Vol. 1, University of Panjab, Lahore. 129 Pp. strategy that must include these small creations of Kashyap, S. R., and R. N. Chopra. 1932. Liverworts of western Himalayas and Panjab plains. Vol. 2 ， University of Panjab, nature. This preliminary study indicates that many Lahore. 137 pp. localities of Odisha state are rich in bryophytes. As Nair, M. C. and P.V. Madhusoodanan. 2005. Studies on the bryophyte most of the species are found in the hills and flora of Kerala (South India) – An introduction. J Econ Tax Bot mountains where mining is inevitable, a detailed 26: 697 – 708. survey and documentation of the bryoflora is Nath, V. and A. K. Asthana. 2005. Studies on Indian Bryophytes. 50 needed before they perish due to anthropocentric years of National Botanical Research Institute. pp. 277-288. land use changes in these ecosystems. Since Nath, V., A. K Asthana and R. Kapoor. 2007. Enumeration of the mosses in Amarkantak (Madhya Pradesh) India. Tawania 52(2): 168- herbarium for lower plants like bryophytes and 176. lichens are not yet been established in Odisha Nath, V., A. K. Asthana, and R. Gupta. 2011. An overview of family hence steps must be taken to develop herbaria for Pottiaceae (Bryopsida) in central India with special reference the preservation of this rich bryoflora. As habitat to Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve (PBR) Lindbergia 34, pp. 30– replacement is rapidly going on and land use 39. changes are almost inevitable, therefore ex-situ Rhoades, F. M. 1995. Nonvascular epiphytes in Forest Canopies: conservation of bryophytes especially focusing on Worldwide distribution, Abundance and ecological Roles. Forest Canopies. Academic Press, New York. region specific threatened species is essential for Richards, P.W., 1996. The Tropical Rain Forest; an Ecological Study. 2nd their conservation. edn. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. Sathisha, A. M. 2007. Survey and Documentation of Bryophytes in Acknowledgements Bhadra Wildlife sanctuary, . Ph.D.Thesis. Kuvempu University. The authors are thankful to Dr. Virendra Nath, Head of the Singh, S.K., 2014. An Appraisal of Genus Riccia in India with a Note on Bryology Division, NBRI and Dr. A.K. Asthana, Senior Scientist, Diversity and Distribution of Species. Int J Sustain Water and NBRI, Lucknow for their guidance and support in identifying Environ Syst 6(1): 35 – 43. the doubtful specimens. Dr.D.K. Saxena, Head, PG Department of Botany, Bareilly Collage, Uttar Pradesh and Dr.D.K. Singh, Additional Director (Former), Botanical survey

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